During the 11-day-long annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and His siblings in Puri, various rituals are observed. One such ritual is ‘Adapa Mandap Bije’. In this ritual, which is observed a day after Rath Yatra, also known as Gundicha Yatra, the deities are taken into the ‘Adapa Mandap’ inside the Gundicha temple. In fact, ‘Adapa Mandap’ is considered the birthplace of Lord Jagannath and His siblings.
This ritual will be observed today evening.
After the completion of ‘Rath Pratistha’ ritual wherein Deula Purohits sanctify the decorated three majestic chariots parked at the Lion’s Gate, the deities are taken out of the sanctum sanctorum in a royal procession. In Dhadi Pahandi, the deities are taken out one after the other in such that they walk in a line. The representative divinities like Madan Mohan and Ramakrishna are placed on Nandighosha and Taladhwaja chariots respectively. Then Lord Sudarshana, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are taken one after another in close succession. And they are seated in their respective chariots.
Thereafter, another unique ritual ‘Chhera Panhara’ is observed. In this ritual, Puri Gajapati Maharaja is seen sweeping the three chariots like a sweeper. He sweeps the chariots using a gold-handled broom. Then comes the most awaited moment for the devotees to pull the chariots. With devotion and excitement, they pull the chariots along the three-kilometer-long Grand Road to the Gundicha Temple (a monument built in memory of the Queen of Indradyumna).
The deities spend a day atop their respective chariots and the priests perform all the rituals on the chariots. The next day, the deities alight and go into the Gundicha temple. In Goti Pahandi, they are taken into the temple and make them seated on the ‘Adapa Mandap’. This ritual is known as ‘Adapa Mandap Bije.’
Before the pahandi ritual, Simhasana Majana ritual is performed by Kothasuansia servitors. Then the charamala is fixed on the ‘Adala Mandap’.
First, the Mahajana servitors take the proxy divinities of Madan Mohana and Ramkrushna into the Gundicha temple and are kept in Dakshini Ghara, a special house on the temple premises. Then the pahandi rituals of Lord Sudarshana, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath start. Daitapati servitors take the deities into the Gundicha temple.
During this week-long period, all the rituals of Srimandir are observed in the Gundicha temple. And, during this period, devotees can relish ‘Adapa Abhada’, the special prasad prepared in the temple.
As per the Hindu beliefs, those who can get a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on the ‘Adapa Mandapa’, they would get rid of all sins committed in hundred births.
On the ninth day of their journey, the deities return to their abode. This is known as ‘Bahuda Yatra'.